Arsenal Take On Wolves in Pivotal English Top Division Encounter

The stage is set for a intriguing top-flight matchup as table-toppers the Gunners welcome rock-bottom Wolves to the Emirates Stadium.

Starting Lineups

Mikel Arteta's side have made three changes following the side that suffered a narrow defeat at Aston Villa last weekend. William Saliba, the Swedish striker and Gabriel Martinelli are all included in the lineup. Martin Ødegaard and Mikel Merino are named on the substitutes' bench, while the Italian defender is absent. Saliba is back after sitting out five matches through injury.

Wolves also make three adjustments to their starting XI following being heavily defeated 4-1 at home by Manchester United last time out. Matt Doherty, João Gomes and the South Korean forward start. Ki-Jana Hoever and Jhon Arias drop to the substitutes, while Bellegarde is omitted altogether.

The Teams in Full

Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Hincapie, Timber, Eze, Zubimendi, Rice, Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.
Subs: Arrizabalaga, Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus, Norgaard, Trossard, Madueke, Nwaneri, Merino, Lewis-Skelly.

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Johnstone, Mosquera, Agbadou, Toti Gomes, Doherty, Joao Gomes, Andre Trindade, Krejci, Wolfe, Larsen, Hwang.
Subs: Tchatchoua, Mane, Lopez, Hoever, Chirewa, Arokodare, Arias, Santiago Bueno, Jose Sa.

Referee: Robert Jones
VAR Official: John Brooks

Match Context

Good evening! Because, c’mon …

The standings tells a striking story. Arsenal sit proudly at the top of the Premier League, while Wolves prop up the division.

… however, even though this will be the 42nd time the Premier League leaders have played the side propping up the division – winning 30 victories from 41, with seven tied games – which team is responsible for two of the four all-time upsets? Indeed, Wolverhampton Wanderers, that’s who! So while the Arsenal manager will undoubtedly be anticipating another three points, Rob Edwards must know that underdogs sometimes find the target, and you never know. Kick-off is at 8 o'clock in the evening GMT. It’s on!

^{(The other two last-over-first wins in the modern top-flight era are Oldham Athletic's 1-0 win over United in March 1993, and Tottenham Hotspur – yeah, this one sounds a bit weird - defeating Liverpool in November 2008.)}